‘Tread softly on Venezuela’

– Guyana adviser on borders urges Ali government

Ahead of the visit by the United States (U.S) Secretary of State, Michael Pompeo to Guyana, newly appointed adviser on borders, Ralph Ramkarran is warning that military interference in the internal affairs of Venezuela could further risk Guyana’s territorial integrity.

“In order to protect Guyana’s territorial integrity, Guyana cannot be seen to be making war, or assisting anyone to make war, on Venezuela. Guyana is simply too vulnerable,” Ramkarran a former speaker of the National Assembly said in a statement on Tuesday.

The United States has been turning to countries in the Western Hemisphere for support as it mounts pressure, through a number of strong policy actions, on the Nicolás Maduro Administration, in an attempt to force it out of Office. To date, it has imposed severe sanctions on that Administration over a range of issues including human rights violations and poor governance.

Though the Irfaan Ali Administration has been tight lipped on the specifics of the two-day visit by the U.S Secretary of State, it is believed that the issues surrounding Venezuela would be placed high on the agenda, but with Guyana and Venezuela currently before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award, the Government adviser said it is important for Guyana to maintain its initial position when treating with the Spanish speaking country.
He noted too that Guyana’s relations with Venezuela are not only defined by its border controversy but also by its military might. “Any attempt to embark on a policy that contains an element of military provocation against Venezuela will require the permanent presence of US troops in Guyana to protect us from a Venezuelan invasion, particularly if a move, military or otherwise, against Venezuela’s Maduro fails. No Guyanese will happily contemplate a permanent US military base in Guyana,” Ramkarran posited.

However, he said in the event that the country helps in a non-military way, and the US succeeds against Maduro, Guyana should ask Venezuela to withdraw its maritime claims and agree to a non-aggression treaty.

In the case before the ICJ, Guyana is seeking to obtain a final and binding judgement that the 1899 Arbitral Award, which established the location of the land boundary between then-British Guiana and Venezuela, remains valid and binding, and that Guyana’s Essequibo region belongs to Guyana, and not Venezuela.

The main Opposition in the National Assembly – the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) – has tabled a number of questions in the House with the hope of having a clear understanding of the PPP/C’s and by extension Guyana’s policy position on Venezuela, ahead of Pompeo’s visit.
‘What is Guyana’s key interest and non-negotiable policies as it relates to Venezuela? Is the country still committed to the non-intervention in the internal affairs of Venezuela?’ – were among questions posed by APNU+AFC Member of Parliament Amanza Walton-Desir on Monday would the hope of having them answered as a matter of urgency by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Hugh Todd.

The APNU+AFC also wants PPP/C Administration to assure the nation that the country’s national interests will not be compromised, and that the Government will not be a party, directly or indirectly, to any aggression against Venezuela.

Further, the Opposition Member of Parliament asked the Foreign Affairs Minister to disclose what are the agreements to be reached, during the meeting with the U.S Secretary of State; and what support was offered by the PPP/C Administration ahead of the high-level meeting. Those questions were repeated today by Opposition Chief Whip Christopher Jones.

In a recent interview with News Room, President Ali described the visit by the US Secretary of State as “extremely important,” noting that that the two countries intends to strengthen their bilateral relations.

Aside from Guyana’s development, the Head of State said that there are a number of issues – regionally and globally – that require the countries’ attention.
“I think his visit is at a key time especially when as a country, we are exploring various initiatives in accessing capital, ensuring that we have capital that is not only accessible but cheap capital or low-interest capital. We also have a transformative agenda that we want all to be involved in,” President Ali said.

The U.S Secretary of State will arrive in Guyana on Thursday, September 17, 2020 for a two-day visit. He will also be visiting, Suriname, Brazil and Colombia.
In January, visited Jamaica with the intention of seven Caribbean leaders to discuss regional concerns including Venezuela’s political crisis but the Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, who had the time was the Chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), boycotted the meeting, describing it as an attempt to divide the 15-member organisation. Prime Minister Mottley had received the support of her Trinidadian counterpart, Prime Minister Keith Rowley.